How to Create a Perfect iOS App Name

Well, they are perfect in fulfilling a certain need, they stand out from their analogs, they provide flawless user experience.

What else? Their design is breathtaking, and, last but not least, they all have juicy and memorable App Names.

How do they come up with such names? Unfortunately, they don’t share their secrets. But clearly, they don’t make typical app naming mistakes.

Today we’ll go over these very mistakes that sometimes result in app rejection. On top of that, we’ll share some winner app name formulas.

Sounds like a great plan. Let’s get started!

To begin with, a few terms that are often confused.

iTunes Connect name – the name displayed in App Store; can be up to 255 characters long, perfect spot for adding your most powerful keywords (more on that in our previous article under step 4).

Bundle Display Name – the name displayed under your icon; about 11–13 characters long depending on the symbols used (w would take up more space than i).

As you see it’s quite easy. Now to the real stuff!

Avoid these common mistakes

Violating App Store guidelines: Carefully read App Store Review Guidelines before brainstorming your app name. Some rules are quite obvious (like not using other mobile platform names or misspelled Apple products names ). Others – not so much. For example, did you know that App Store no longer accepts Flashlight apps and a few others because there are already a lot of them on iTunes? As you see, the earlier you get yourself acquainted with App Store guidelines, the better for you.

Using hard to spell/pronounce names: There is nothing wrong with unusual and exquisite app names. However, if you want information about your app to be spread by word of mouth, the app name has got to be easy to reproduce.

Remember that you can create different names for the same app for different national App Stores.

Using a long Bundle Name: Once again, bundle name should be around 11-13. The more capital letters you use, the fewer characters you may cram. If the bundle name doesn’t fit under the icon, it won’t be displayed properly. Run a short test: create a folder on your device and use your app name version to name it. The name is displayed properly? There you go!

Duplicating existing names: This doesn’t only concern duplicating other apps’ names. Duplicating existing brand names in general is not a good idea. Google all your name versions. Don’t just look them up in App Store. Crafting something unique will help you avoid problems with domain, twitter and facebook name availability. Plus it will help you avoid legal issues with trademark owners.

You are probably asking yourself: how is it possible to create an app name when there are so many restrictions?

Here is how!

Use these app name formulas

Sometimes it’s hard to get the brainstorming started. The formulas below will help get the ideas flowing.

1) Pair words

Take the word that reflects major function/benefit of your app and pair it with a short word to create a catchy name. In this case you are actually making up a new word, so chances are you’ll come up with something unique.

A few examples: MySpend, Wunderlist, Evernote, Themespop, WeatherBug.

You may also just mix the words together (Fooducate, Runtastic).

2) Use suffixes and prefixes

Another great way to modify an overused app name is to add a suffix of prefix to it (Alarmy, IconER)

3) Use verbs

Verbs are better than nouns in conveying the app’s benefit. Check out Pimp my keyboard, Water Your Body, Remind Me. The functions of the app are quite clear. And you haven’t even seen the screenshots.

Still lacking inspiration? I know you’ve got a few more ideas very close at hand. Just take your Apple device and scan the names of apps that you have downloaded. Once you are fuelled with best practices, creating your own app name becomes an exceptionally easy task. You may also browse top charts of your target category to get some ideas.